Graduation 2013
Oh those cute Mini Coopers. Kathryn always wanted one. They remind me of her each time I see one. So small and cute just like her. I can always picture her driving one or
standing next to one.
I had an appointment with a Hip Doctor. I had scheduled one for another doctor
but he wasn’t available until the 14th of May. So I did a bit of searching and found
one that is in the same orthopedic office as my ex-neighbor. This doctor was available on Wednesday
the 24th. I took the
appointment. I talked to
Scott about it and he said that is Paige’s Dad. Paige is a friend of Kathryn’s. They met at SOTA (School of the Arts) where Kathryn went to
school 10th through 12th grade. When I met the doctor I told him who I was. He remembered Kathryn so well. He said they always enjoyed having
Kathryn over to their house. Then
he told me that he would be going out of town in two weeks until the first of
June to go to Paige’s graduation in Massachusetts. Kathryn would have been graduating this spring and starting
her adult life. Paige wants to
work with nonprofit organizations.
I told her Dad that I would think Kathryn had some influence on that and
he thought maybe she did. Paige
was on Kathryn’s Relay for Life Team for three years. I saw her at Relay last year too. She has grown into a wonderful young lady. Kathryn would have been asking the
hospital about working as a child life specialist. She probably would have gained employment at
Children’s. With the new cancer-building
opening, there will be positions to fill.
I watched the telethon about it last night. She would probably have found someone to room with in
Seattle. I would have wanted her
to find employment in Tacoma at Mary Bridge and maybe she would have. Well, I found it ironic that I should
switch doctors and get Paige’s Dad.
We chatted for a while.
He’s a very nice man and very understanding. I trust he will do a good job on my hip replacement.
I also received some news about Rowan this week. I was not excited to hear what is going
on. She has a new spot showing up
in her brain. It could be necrosis
from radiation. This would be the
best as long as it doesn’t get any worse.
This is when the brain tissue dies from radiation. It can happen years down the road. They say it never comes back but I have
read where dead brain tissue has come back or new cells have grown. The other thing it could be is a
cancerous lesion. This would not
be good at all. That would mean
the lesion is made up of different types of cells that are resistant to her
current treatment. That is what
happened in Kathryn’s case. This
is what can happen with Glio’s.
They are smart little beasts that change their make up when they come
back. You never know what will
work on them. If surgery isn’t an
option then the doctors don’t have any idea of what course of action to
take. Rowan’s tumor is on her
brain stem and no doctor will operate.
The final one that Kathryn had was also too close to the brain stem so
surgery was not an option. Please
pray for Rowan. She is the
sweetest little girl and has the nicest parents. They deserve a beautiful life together.
Our friend who had all of the seizures went home on
Friday. She is a fighter and is
recovering. She will do great!
Yesterday (Saturday) Scott and I went to a tech session for
the Porsche Club in the morning.
It was nice to see people I haven’t seen for a while. I was talking to one man and Kathryn
came up in the conversation. He
said Kathryn was the best child he has ever met. He was so sincere.
He has a child too but he said that she was the best and made that
clear. He really thought a lot of
her and thought she was truly a wonderful person, the best. I have to agree. When Kathryn was a live I don’t think I
realized just how wonderful she was.
I was her Mom always working on directing her to be a good person. I realize now that she did become that
wonderful person long, long ago. I
didn’t have to work very hard at all to help her develop into this person. She was a gift from Heaven and she was
Heavenly. I guess our Hawaiian
friend who gave her the name Kahiwalani (Gift from Heaven) knew who she was
even as an infant.
Richard has also grown so much. He is working in a couple of classrooms. He even volunteered to work with the
“Bad Kids.” He said, “They aren’t
really bad, they are just like I was in school.” They are getting their work done. He said they are just from unfortunate situations with families
that aren’t like ours. He said
that people in the Ed classes don’t understand that these kids don’t have
families that make sure they do their homework. They don’t have those nagging parents like they all
did. He said that if he didn’t
have Scott and me as parents he would have turned out a whole lot
different. A couple of the college
students in one of his classes did a research project on who has the most
influence on kids. He told me that
I would be happy to know that I was right when I said it is the parents that
make or break a kid. Their
research found that the parents are the most influential people in a kid’s
life. Well it's obvious! We as teachers are only a tiny part of
their lives. Yes, I have influence
kids to do better despite their parents.
Yes, I have talked to students about adopting out babies, not committing
suicide, doing what is right for themselves, working hard to be successful,
leaving your friends behind sometimes because they will drag you down. Sharing my own stories about life and
how to not get pulled the wrong direction. Both Scott and I could have been in lots of trouble if we
didn’t have parents that taught us right form wrong and the hard work is what
it takes to be successful. To be
proud of your work and to give to others.
My favorite saying is, "Be the Bigger Person." I have used this line a lot with both
Richard and Kathryn. That means to
give in if it saves you from an argument.
It means to help others.
Some times it means to not get what you want to make someone else happy.
Richard is also going to a big seminar for Siblings of
children with life threatening illnesses.
Bee will be going with him.
He explained to his professor that he would have to miss part of the
class that day. Richard made
arrangements for things to work out the best he could for his work and his
partners work before talking to the professor. The professor said he would still lose the points. Richard asked if he would still pass
the class. The professor said
yes. Richard will be missing
class. This is very important to
him. He can really be a positive
influence for kids in this situation.
The same situation he lived with since he was 12. Bee also knows this position in
life. I’m glad he is choosing to
go to the sibling seminar even if his grade will drop. He knows what is important to him and
what will help him help others.
He’s a great person and I am so proud to call him my son.
The Kathryn “Panda” Bradley store closes May 2nd. So order your t-shirts. Remember all proceeds go to Camp
Goodtimes West.
www.baysidecustomstores.com
Make it a great day!